We will be holding Good Friday and Easter Sunday services! Find out more here

Moving from Good Friday to Resurrection Sunday

Good Friday

This year’s Good Friday service took on a slightly different approach. Candles were lit and the lights were dimmed. As Ps Ollie read from the Jesus Storybook Bible, the congregation listened to how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for the cup to be taken away from him; how his disciples tried to stop the soldiers from taking Jesus away; and finally, how Jesus breathed his last on the cross and gave up his spirit to the Father. Interspersing aptly chosen songs of worship with the readings brought the reality of Christ’s death to the forefront of our hearts and minds.

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Ps Arnold preached on the meaning and significance of Jesus’ death on the cross - that it was not meaningless but meaningful; not purposeless, but purposeful. Christ died for all, and we all have a choice to make - to receive or reject God’s propitiation of Christ.

Lordssupper

After the sermon, the congregation then partook in the Lord’s Supper together. “Jesus is now dead”, declared Toshi at the closing of the service as we sang solemnly “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” A benediction was deliberately left out at the end of the service, and the congregation left the church pondering over Jesus’ death. It made one almost restless for Easter as a horrifying notion lingered - “What if Jesus was not resurrected?”

 

Resurrection Sunday

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’” - Rev 1:17-18

The answer came on Sunday. Easter is always a time of great joy and celebration. In preparation for Easter, the church prayed for guests to come. By the time Easter came around, 27 GBC members had taken up the challenge of openly praying for friends they could bring.

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A proud, 25-man strong choir welcomed the congregation with a joyous singing of "Happy Day".

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The greatest day in history, Death is beaten
You have rescued me
Sing it out Jesus is alive

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“…if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain ...if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins …If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Cor 15:14, 17, 19). But Jesus is alive! Ps Arnold explained in the sermon on Sunday why we may no longer fear death as a result of Jesus voluntarily dying for us as an innocent man. In the risen Lord, we have conquered our fear of death and issues in life.

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Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
- “Because He lives” by Gloria & Bill Gaither

After the Easter service, GBC members and visitors mingled downstairs over a time of fellowship.

V - Daniel Ng with Janet Low (800x536)

V - Ps Arnold with Pak Budi of Roslin Orphanage (800x536)

Ps Arnold with Pak Budi from the Roslin Orphanage.